How to fill an existing window?

[angelaucd]

Hi I’m new to the community. We have two windows in our garage that are not in a great place. We are wondering if we can fill them in without having to use brick. Does anyone have any suggestions or instructions on how we can do this? 

 

[JacobZ]

Hi @angelaucd,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community and thank you for your question.

You don't necessarily need to brick the windows in to close them up. 

You could have the windows removed, frame out the opening with framing timber and then clad that frame with fibre cement cladding.

You're not really altering the structure by closing in a window, but as they are structural elements of your home, it is going to be worthwhile checking with your local council to see if you have any requirements on their end. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

Allow me to tag @Nailbag, @Dave-1 and @JoeAzza to see if they have any ideas on what you could use.

Let me know if you have further questions or would like further advice or guidance.

Jacob

[JoeAzza]

Hi @angelaucd , as @JacobZ @said to fill in the wrong window , I suggest is leave the windin place and cover it with either cement sheet or blue board and add a small timber or angle aluminium boarder to finish off the edges between the brickwork and sheet, you could do the same for the inside using plaster board, this way you are not altering the structure, 

another option is the leave the outside window as it currently is and just close off the inside only with plaster.

[Nailbag · Accepted solution]

Hi @angelaucd 

As with @JacobZ comment re: checking there is no issue with council to do this work is ok. Having said that I would be very surprised if it was unless there is something to do with energy rating compliance. But you not renovating as such, so there is no building plans to submit for a permit.

Below are photos from performing the exact same task which is also inline with @JacobZ post. I made two frames out of 90mm x 45mm framing pine, one for the internal wall and one for the outer. The internal wall was nailed into place a little shy of flush to allow for the plasterboard  stud glue. The outer frame was secured with construction liquid nails and masonry fasteners allowing for Blue-board to be flush fitted against the brick as I was rendering. Earthwool insulation was fitted before the cladding was fitted. Then I used Sikaflex to seal the external gaps. If you not rendering you could either apply another more decorative gladding like vertical pieces of 38mm x 38mm Merbau with a small 10mm gap in-between. Or replace the Blue-board with weatherboards..

Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @angelaucd 

My answer is the same the rest of the guys have suggested I like @Nailbag's photos showing what he did and how it can look. The concrete sheeting/blueboard on the outside to make it secure is the way to go. Then you can paint or render if you wish.

I have framed out my internal garage walls and it was resonably easy, a rectangular opening will be even easier

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @angelaucd 

@JoeAzza idea of only filling in the internal wall and leave the window in place is a great one and one I have done before. But you would need to replace the glass with frosted glass if it isn't already so you can't see the internal gap fill. But this is a cheap and easier solution than also filling the outer wall that I suggested.

Nailbag

[angelaucd]

@Nailbag Thanks so much! I appreciate the detailed instructions and photos. 

[angelaucd]

Great idea! I hadn’t considered this. 

[JoeAzza]

@angelaucd

adding to @Nailbag , Bunnings sell window film for privacy , doing it this way, there is no need to replace the existing glass. 

https://www.bunnings.com.au/pillar-0-9-x-2m-embossed-frost-adhesive-window-film_p3961889

[Nailbag]

Nice one @JoeAzza I I wasn't aware of that product. 👌